Canada. Transport Canada, Sarnia, Office of Boating Safety

Canada. Transport Canada

Site: Sarnia

Service: Office of Boating Safety - Pleasure Craft Licences

Record #: BAR2788

Last Modified: 18 Sep 2025

Last Full Update: 10 May 2024

Description

Description (Service)

Small Vessel Regulations under Canada Shipping Act, 2001, require all pleasure craft powered by an engine 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more to have a pleasure craft licence

pleasure craft licence is the set of identification numbers on a pleasure craft, including personal watercraft, that must be displayed above the waterline on both sides of your pleasure craft
pleasure craft licensing system allows search and rescue personnel as well as other agencies to quickly identify your boat in the event of an emergency
owners of licensed pleasure craft have up to 90 days from the date of purchase to transfer a pleasure craft licence, during which time they may continue to operate the pleasure craft if documents are carried on board confirming the name and address of the new owner and the date of the transfer of ownership
pleasure craft licenses are valid for a period of 10 years
application form for Pleasure Craft Licence has a section in which to change ownership of a boat, or add names to ownership of a boat, see website for details

Service Details

Public Comments	For information about Pleasure Craft Operator Cards see BAR2748
Hours	Hours vary
Areas Served	Canada
Eligibility	For pleasure craft powered by a motor over 10 hp (7.5 kW)
Application	To obtain, transfer, update, duplicate or cancel a pleasure craft licence visit Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety website or call the toll-free Boating Safety InfoLine at 1-800-267-6687 applications for a pleasure craft licence are available online or forms can be filled out and sent by mail for people without access to the internet they can go to the local Service Canada Centre at 48 Owen St, Barrie to obtain a print form or use their computers to print out the form forms are sent to Fredericton, New Brunswick for processing it is no longer possible to obtain or make changes to a boat licence in person in Barrie
Languages	English; French - Reception
Fees	None

Address and Location

Located In Community	Sarnia
Address & Map	Office of Boating Safety, Transport Canada 100 Front St S Sarnia, ON Canada N7T 2M4
Intersection	Front St S and Davis St
Mailing Address	Office of Boating Safety, Transport Canada 100 Front St S Sarnia, ON Canada N7T 2M4
Physical Access	Fully Accessible

Contact Information

Office Phone	1-877-281-8824, Toll Free, Office of Boating Safety (Ontario Region)
E-Mail	obs-ontario-bsn@tc.gc.ca
Website	https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/vessel-licensing-registration